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SYNOPSIS OF THE SERMON
In this week’s sermon, Rich started by asking the question, “Why is the truth not more obvious?” He answered the question by saying that the problems is not with the message but with our hearing. He also taught that, in order to have kingdom impact, we must not submit to formulas, but instead, we must have faith, we must be patient, and we must be generous. Using the parable in Matthew 13:1-23, Rich taught about the four kinds of hearers: Hardened hearer, superficial hearer, natural hearer, and the good hearer.
GETTING THE CONVERSATION STARTED
These questions can be used as ice-breakers in the beginning OR interwoven between the questions below to draw the group into the discussion.
1. Which of your five senses is the most important to you? Why?
2. Can you share your experience of talking to someone who was not listening to you?
3. Have you even been the person who was not listening? Why were you not listening?
4. How is talking to someone face-to-face different than talking over the phone?
INTERACTING WITH THE SERMON
1. Briefly give a synopsis of this week’s sermon. What insight, principle, or observation from this weekend’s message did you find to be most helpful, eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read John 8:31-47:
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” 34 Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37 I know you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. 38 I am telling you what I have seen in the Father's presence, and you are doing what you have heard from your father.” 39 “Abraham is our father,” they answered. “If you were Abraham's children,” said Jesus, “then you would do what Abraham did. 40 As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. 41 You are doing the works of your own father.” “We are not illegitimate children,” they protested. “The only Father we have is God himself.” 42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me. 43 Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. 44 You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me! 46 Can any of you prove me guilty of sin? If I am telling the truth, why don't you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”
What is it that truly distinguishes those who belong to God and those who don’t?
How do we actually hear God’s voice?
Share an example of when you heard God speak to you.
What are we supposed to do when we hear God’s voice?
How is reading the Bible the same or different from hearing God’s voice?
What role does tradition and the church play in hearing God’s voice?
Reflect back on Rich’s sermon. What kind of a hearer are you?
3. Read this quote from Winnie the Pooh:
If the person you are talking to doesn't appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.
What are some examples of “fluff” that can get in the way of our hearing from God?What can we learn from Winnie the Pooh in regards to how we share our faith?Set aside 30 minutes this week to sit in silence and just listen to God.If you feel comfortable, you can try this (for 5 minutes) as part of your small group worship time and then talk about the experience.
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